Prusa Flags Security Flaws in Bambu Lab's Closed 3D Printing Network

*Josef Prusa warns that Bambu Lab's software includes an un-auditable network component that violates the AGPL and creates broad security exposure.*

The warning

Josef Prusa has stated that software tied to Chinese 3D printer maker Bambu Lab carries substantial security risks. The core issue is a network “black box” that cannot be audited and that allegedly breaches the AGPL license.

Bambu Lab has drawn repeated criticism on these points. Prusa’s statement adds to an existing line of complaints about the company’s approach to code transparency.

Technical detail

The disputed component handles network functions inside Bambu Lab’s printing stack. Because the code is closed, outside reviewers cannot inspect what data leaves the printer or what commands it accepts from remote servers.

The AGPL requires that any modified version of covered software be made available under the same license. Prusa claims Bambu Lab’s implementation fails this test by keeping the network layer hidden.

Reactions

No public response from Bambu Lab appears in the reporting so far. Other vendors in the open-source 3D printing space have not issued statements on the specific allegations.

Why it matters

Engineers who run farms of printers or integrate them into automated workflows now face a concrete choice. They can accept a device whose network behavior they cannot verify, or they can stay with fully auditable stacks even if those stacks require more setup. The difference is not theoretical; an opaque network path can be used for data exfiltration or remote tampering without the owner’s knowledge. For teams that treat printers as part of production infrastructure, that uncertainty is a direct operational risk rather than a licensing footnote.

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Sources:

• Tom's Hardware

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